Page 38

“I’m never eating again. A, Because this experience can never be matched. B, I don’t want this food to feel jealous in any way. C, I’ll be too full to attempt it.”

Kyle nodded. “It’s big of you to care about the food’s feelings.”

“Well, it deserves and has earned every ounce of my consideration. How’s yours?” I peered at her plate. She’d done an impressive job. My kind of dinner companion.

“Just as wonderful. I think it might be in my interest to order what you order everywhere I go.”

“That might be the best compliment I’ve had all year.”

“I can do so much better.” Kyle went back to her plate as a flutter moved through my entire midsection. I knew acutely how she could make me feel.

“Dessert?” Probably-Preston asked.

“No,” we said in unison, sitting back in our chairs. That prompted a moment of shared laughter, and I couldn’t help but relish the true happiness behind her eyes, a welcome sight after her anguish earlier. I realized something key in that moment. I didn’t want to punish Kyle or see her unhappy in any way. I was simply protecting my heart, maybe a little more fiercely than the average person, given the loss I’d experienced in my life.

“I’ll take the check,” Kyle said.

“I think that’s fair for the whole bridge incident,” I said and sipped the last of martini #2, already in full effect. I’d be picking my car up later. Praise the wonders of Uber and whoever thought to invent it.

“We’re near the water. Want to walk down to the beach?” She looked down at my foot, which was better than she’d last seen it, but still achy. I was down to one crutch. “Or in your case, hobble?”

“Okay, but don’t think I’m going to magically find a beach the perfect setting for romance and stars and hearts.”

“I would never think that about you.” She stood. “You’re cold like ice and prickly.” She shivered.

“Yikes. Ow.”

With that, she turned and headed for the door, leaving me hurrying after her.

“I’m just checking in because my martini-influenced ears thought they overheard you call me cold like ice.”

“I did say that.”

“You think I’m prickly and cold?”

“I don’t. I do, however, think you’re fun to tease. Your face is so red right now. I feel a little guilty about that.”

I opened my mouth and closed it again. A squeak escaping.

“What was that? Do you want to say it again for emphasis?” she asked, along with an arch of her right brow, the expressive one. I knew it well. Oh, she was enjoying this a great deal.

“You talk a lot. Are you ready to go to the beach or not?”

Kyle relaxed into a lazy grin. “I thought you’d never ask.”

Chapter Twelve

Dreamers and Schemers

Waves have a way of whispering. I didn’t know a better way to describe the effect, the way the crashes and breaks tickled my ears and reminded me how big the universe really is. The vastness of the ocean really did help put my own personal struggles in proper perspective, one of the things I loved about living near the water. Lindy used to bring me to the beach anytime I was having a bad day or missing my parents so much I couldn’t breathe.

But I’ve always noticed the whispers more at night, when the waves cresting with the foam on top were less visible, stripping me of one of my senses and forcing me to rely on the ones that remained. It was one of the things I loved most about nights on the shore, mysterious and calm.

“Cold tonight,” Kyle said. She’d grabbed a jacket from her car before we’d headed down. I’d done the same, also draping my favorite green and blue plaid blanket over my crutch from the stash of beach supplies I kept in my trunk for such an occasion. You never knew when you would need a little beach sitting to clear your head or just to take in the beauty of the shoreline.

“The breeze off the water.” I looked over at her, shrugged into a maroon cargo jacket. “Good color on you.” I found a spot, then tossed the blanket, letting the air spread it evenly.

“A compliment? Didn’t see that coming.” She took a seat next to me facing the dark sea.